Saudi Arabia plots path to cyber safety

A member of the military specialised in cyber defense works on servers in Lille on January 23, 2018 during the 10th International Cybersecurity Forum. (AFP)

• SNSR Expo’s dedicated content program will deliver insights on combating national security challenges in the Kingdom on four key pillars — innovation, intellectual leadership, entertainment and public awareness, and business

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s readiness to deal with cyberthreats came under the spotlight at a major cybersecurity workshop in Riyadh attended by more than 200 representatives from government and other authorities.
The workshop, organized by the Saudi Arabian National Commission for Cyber Security, discussed key challenges and cyberthreats, and focused on protective measures available to authorities.
The commission’s initiatives in national capacity-building, such as the CyberPro training program, and the national framework of cyber-incident response were also examined.
The workshop was part of the commission’s national program for cybersecurity, which is conducted in partnership with government authorities to improve awareness, readiness and share information on protection against cyberthreats.
Similar workshops will be held in Jeddah and cities in the Eastern Province.
Meanwhile, the Saudi Federation for Cyber Security, Programming and Drones (SAFCSP) has announced it will sponsor the Saudi National Security and Risk Prevention Exposition, organized under the auspices of the Minister of Interior Minister Prince Abdul Aziz bin Saud bin Naif, at Riyadh International Convention Center from Nov. 4 to Nov. 6.
SNSR Expo is held under the theme of “shaping the future of national security and risk prevention” and will showcase innovation, facilitate discussions and best practice exchanges to forge partnerships and business collaborations between the Saudi government and international businesses.
Nouf Abdullah Al-Rakan, executive director of the SAFCSP, said the federation is eager to raise awareness of cybersecurity to help businesses improve efficiency and profitability.
Al-Rakan said Saudi Vision 2030 would motivate all sectors to develop their electronic capabilities and promote the pioneering role of the Kingdom in the field of technology.
SNSR Expo’s dedicated content program will deliver insights on combating national security challenges in the Kingdom on four key pillars — innovation, intellectual leadership, entertainment and public awareness, and business. It will explore the future of five key topics: Border security, counterterror, smart and safe cities, Hajj safety and security and cybersecurity.